Going into Hospital (Books Beyond Words) Book

This book is a companion text to Going to Out-Patients. Both books are aimed at people with learning disabilities, their carers and medical professionals in hospital settings.We all worry about going into hospital. For people with learning disabilities there is the added fear of not being able to explain what is wrong, as well as not understanding what is happening. These books are designed to support patients with learning disabilities by explaining, through a series of pictures, what happens to them there. Feelings, information and consent are all addressed. Ideally, this book should be used to prepare someone before he or she goes into hospital. It will also be invaluable to hospital staff to use during consultations and before treatments.'The excellent Books Beyond Words series encourages client empowerment in a dynamic way.'- British Journal of Learning Disabilities What are Books Beyond Words? Few picture books are available for adults and adolescents who cannot read or who have difficulty reading. Fewer still provide information and address the emotional aspects of difficult events like the Books Beyond Words series. Each specially commissioned book actively addresses the problems of understanding that people with learning and communication difficulties experience. The stories are told through colour pictures that include mime and body language, to communicate simple, explicit messages. These help 'readers' to cope with emotions and events such as going to the doctor, bereavement, sexual abuse and depression. People with learning disabilities trial every single picture before publication to ensure they can be readily understood. Supporting text and guidelines are given at the back of each book. The authors are all experts in their fields. Lists of resources and helpful organisations are provided where appropriate. 'This series has established the highest reputation for tackling complex and difficult issues, clearly, compassionately and with considerable skill.' - Viewpoint (Mencap) 'Books Beyond Words offer a useful resource for prompting discussion on a variety of issues.' - Communication Who should use Books Beyond Words? Books Beyond Words can be used by: Anyone who understands pictures better than words. People with learning or communication difficulties. People with literacy problems. People for whom English is a second language when an interpreter is not available. Anyone who speaks a different language. Relatives, friends, supporters and advocates. Teachers, social workers, health and legal professionals, police officers. 'These books are powerful interpretive tools for anyone who works with people with developmental disabilities' - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 'The acid test for these publications has to be whether or not one would find them useful in clinical practice... my own answer would be an unequivocal 'Yes'.' - Journal of Intellectual Disability ResearchBy telling the whole story in pictures, Books Beyond Words titles help people to prepare for an event or to deal with something that has happened. People are able to relate the pictures to their own experiences, without being distracted or confused by accompanying text. The pictures share information and show procedures, but they also illustrate emotions relevant to the topic or experience. Supporting information, as text, is provided at the back of each book. A suggested storyline gives one interpretation of what is taking place. Guidelines are also provided for carers, supporters and professionals, including notes on how to use the book together with useful resources and organisations that may help with particular problems. The guidelines may include a glossary of special terms.Read More